Every year when Lent begins, small cardboard boxes are handed out across campus at Immaculata-La Salle High School. These boxes are part of the CRS Rice Bowl, a program that encourages Catholics to reflect on hunger and take meaningful action during the Lenten season.
CRS Rice Bowl is the official Lenten initiative of Catholic Relief Services, the international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic Church. The program began in 1975 as a response to famine in Africa and has since grown into a nationwide effort. Today, millions of Catholics across the United States participate each year, raising awareness and funds to fight hunger and poverty.
At Immaculata-La Salle, the Rice Bowl is incorporated into the school’s Lenten observances. Students receive the small boxes and are encouraged to practice prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Throughout the 40 days of Lent, small sacrifices are made, such as giving up snacks or unnecessary purchases. The money saved from those sacrifices is placed inside the Rice Bowl. Though the individual contributions may seem small, together they create a significant impact.
“Even putting in a few dollars from skipping snacks makes me feel like I’m actually helping someone,” said senior Nicolas Nauta. His words reflect how simple sacrifices can turn into meaningful acts of solidarity during Lent.
Religion classes also use the program’s weekly reflections and stories to educate students about global poverty. Through these materials, students learn about families in countries such as Guatemala and Ghana which face food insecurity and limited access to clean water. These real-life stories help connect faith lessons to real-world challenges and encourage a deeper understanding of social justice.
“Reading about families in other countries makes everything feel more real,” said senior Alessandra Alvarez. Her perspective shows how the program encourages students to think beyond themselves.
An important aspect of CRS Rice Bowl is how the funds are distributed. 75% of the donations support international programs run by Catholic Relief Services in more than 100 countries. These programs focus on food security, sustainable agriculture, clean water access, education, and emergency relief. The remaining 25% stays within the local diocese to support hunger and poverty relief efforts in the surrounding community.
“I like knowing that what we raise doesn’t just go far away, but also helps families right here in our own community,” said senior Renata Vadala. This structure ensures that donations make both a global and local difference.
At the end of Lent, students return their Rice Bowls to school, and the collected donations are submitted. Since its founding, CRS Rice Bowl has raised more than 350 million dollars to help communities in need.
At Immaculata-La Salle, participation in CRS Rice Bowl serves as a reminder that faith is not only something taught in the classroom. It is something lived out through action, sacrifice, and a commitment to helping others.
